Hussaini, also known as the Aga Khan, died on Tuesday, February 4, aged 88. A colossally wealthy philanthropist, he was also the imam of the Nizari Ismaili faith, an esoteric branch of Shia Islam that changed the history of the Middle East.

Rahim Al-Hussaini was named Wednesday as the new Aga Khan, spiritual leader of the world's millions of Ismaili Muslims. The 53-year-old succeeds his father, who died on Tuesday.

By bnm Tehran bureau Prince Rahim al-Hussaini has been named the new Aga Khan, becoming spiritual leader of 15mn Ismaili Muslims following the death of his father in Lisbon aged 88. The 53-year-old was appointed in his father's will unsealed on February 5 as the fifth Aga Khan and 50th imam of the Nizari Ismaili branch of Shia Islam,